Monday, June 23, 2014

Those names are without a doubt cornerstones behind one of the most impactful films to hit and grace cinematic history back in the late 80's... And helped set a precedent for the superhero movie genre alongside Richard Donner's "Superman: The Movie".

That film was "Batman" - released on June 23, 1989 and directed by Burton.

Heavily dark in tone and inspired by the likes of Frank Miller's "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns", "Batman" saw Michael Keaton star in the titular role as Batman/ Bruce Wayne - setting the origin of the character clearly as a vigilante hero who dresses up as a winged avenger to protect his hometown of Gotham City from the same criminal element that took the life of his parents when he was a child. Opposing him was Nicholson's Joker, who before his transformation was a mob guy named Jack Napier, who falls into a vat of chemicals and transforms into the Clown Prince of Crime. Kim Basinger played Batman's love interest in reporter Vicki Vale, and The Joker equally set his crazy sights on her as he terrorized the populace with his insane antics.

Batman (1989) Original Trailer

Before Christopher Nolan made Batman realistic and epic with his acclaimed set of films in "The Dark Knight Trilogy", Burton's Batman was the best thing to happen, and realized the Caped Crusader for Warner Bros. and DC Comics as a serious crimefighter who took the hero back to his Dark and Brooding roots, which were eclipsed back in the 60's because of the popular 1960's Batman series starring Adam West. It was another chapter in Bathistory that would be memorialized and remembered for generations until this very day, and despite nitpicks and difference at the time, is now truly worthy of praise and honor with its cult status and following. The film was followed by a sequel and the Joel Schumacher films, as well as greenlighting what would be 1992's Batman: The Animated Series!

And yes, while Prince may have done the soundtrack, Danny Elfman's awesome score is just too memorable to forget.

Batman Theme

It's a double celebration indeed for Batman this year, as not only does he celebrate his 75th anniversary, he celebrates the 25th year of one of his important movies!